8 River Arts Place Restoration
8 River Arts Place Restoration
The City of Asheville is restoring the public facility at 8 River Arts Place after Tropical Storm Helene caused substantial damage to the building.
Happening Now
City Council approved a contract on September 9, 2025, with Novus Architects for design services needed to restore the City-owned facility at 8 River Arts Place in the River Arts District. The scope of work includes identifying opportunities for flood hazard mitigation. Funding for this project is expected to come from the FEMA Public Assistance Program.
Next Milestone: Construction
Background
The public facility at 8 River Arts Place is a one-story brick structure built in 1933, originally serving as the office building for a manufactured gas plant. The property was eventually donated to the City and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the Riverside Industrial Historic District.
In 2017, the building was renovated and opened to the community, offering public restrooms and a multi-use rental space. This space had been leased to Grind, LLC for their program ‘Black Wall Street Asheville’. Read more information about 8 River Arts Place.
On September 27, 2024, Tropical Helene caused catastrophic damage to the region. The 8 River Arts Place building itself straddles a creek known as Bacoate Branch and is in close proximity to the French Broad River. The building was inundated with floodwater and floodborne debris, and the building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components were substantially damaged. These now require comprehensive replacement or repair in order for the building to be habitable and brought back to its pre-Helene condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
The City anticipates funding for this project to come from the FEMA Public Assistance program. Cost estimating processes are still underway.
The City of Asheville is going through a strategic process to address the surrounding area through a separate project called the French Broad Riverfront Parks Recovery project. This process will include the development of a comprehensive design plan to envision and restore the 200+ acres of City-owned parks and recreation system along the French Broad River.
Because the 8 River Arts Place facility recently underwent an engagement and design process before it was renovated, this facility can be restored separately from the larger French Broad Riverfront Parks Recovery project. This will also allow the current lessee, and the public, to access the property as soon as possible.
Let’s connect! Please contact the Project Manager at jweissman@ashevillenc.gov. Anyone who is interested in this project is encouraged to subscribe for email updates at the top of this project page.